King James Version

What Does Revelation 21:3 Mean?

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Context

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

THE FIRST VOICE.—The voice out of the throne (Revelation 21:3-4.) (3) **And I heard a great voice out of heaven. . . .**—According to the best MSS. the voice now heard was heard “*out of the throne,” *saying, *Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tabernacle with them.* Here, as in Revelation 7:15, the translation, “shall dwell,” weakens the force of the allusion. The tent, or tabernacle, is in the seer’s mind. There is a difference in the prepositions used here and in Revelation 7 : in the latter, God was spoken of as tabernacling *over* them; here He tabernacles with them. He not only stretches His cloud-shelter over them, but He is with them. *They shall be His people, and He shall be God with them, their God.* The introduction of the words in italics (“and be”) in our version is a weakness; the force of the thought is spoiled. *They* are God’s people, and He is their Emmanuel—God with them, their God. The prophet Ezekiel supplies parallel thoughts (Ezekiel 37:27-28; comp. also Leviticus 26:11-12).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 21:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.